Lot Essay
Compare a similar, exceptionally large, example dated to the late Shang period, illustrated by J. Rawson, Mysteries of Ancient China, London, 1996, no.41, pp.94-95.
SHANG DYNASTY
Details
AN ARCHAIC BRONZE TRIPOD VESSEL, JUE
shang dynasty
The deep U-shaped body raised on three blade legs, the body cast with a band of taotie-masks below cicada wing motifs at the neck, all on a leiwen ground, the underside of the protruding lip similarly decorated with a pair of confronted kui dragons, one side with a loop handle issuing from a bovine mask, the rim with two posts each terminating in a sword-hilt finial deccorated with a whorl pattern, the bronze with areas of pale-green malachite and cuprite encrustations
8 in. (21.5 cm.) high, fitted box
shang dynasty
The deep U-shaped body raised on three blade legs, the body cast with a band of taotie-masks below cicada wing motifs at the neck, all on a leiwen ground, the underside of the protruding lip similarly decorated with a pair of confronted kui dragons, one side with a loop handle issuing from a bovine mask, the rim with two posts each terminating in a sword-hilt finial deccorated with a whorl pattern, the bronze with areas of pale-green malachite and cuprite encrustations
8 in. (21.5 cm.) high, fitted box